The Holy Shroud (Turin)

About me

Francine Pirola

Francine completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Sindonology at the Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum in Rome in 2025, bringing together her love of science and theology. She is a member of the Othonia speaker team and holds qualifications in Physiology (BSc Hons, UNSW), Religion and Religious Education (MA, Fordham) and Theology of the Body, and is a Senator for the Australian Catholic University.

With her husband Byron she directs PMRC (Australia) and cofounders of SmartLoving - a Catholic marriage formation apostolate serving thousands of couples worldwide. She speaks on the science and history of the Shroud, and on the Shroud read through the Theology of the Body, and can bring a life-size replica of the Shroud and Sudarium to communities within driving distance of Sydney.

Mother of five and ‘Nonnina’ to seven, Francine is passionate about bringing Christ into the hearts and homes of those she serves.
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    A Holy Shroud Presentation
    for your Community

    Presentation requirements:  Projector, AV, lectern, microphone for large groups. Presentations include short movie, talk with slides, Q&A.

    Exhibit (optional). A selection of display items, including a life-size replica of the Shroud and Soudarion, replica crown of thorns, nails, flagrum and other artifacts, are available in destinations of driving distance from Sydney.

    Presentations:
    • Who is the Man of the Shroud? An introduction to the Science and History of the Holy Shroud (40 min presentation, 30 min Q&A) 
    • The Holy Shroud Through the Lens of the Theology of the Body (50 min presentation/reflection, 20 min Q&A) A more theological and reflective presentation.
    Pricing: Francine does not draw personal income from her presentations but requires her travel expenses to be covered and requests a contribution to be made towards her ministry. Typical contribution: $200 - 400 per presentation, $300 for exhibit, travel (drive) $2/km (from Sydney city) or airfares. 
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     Location:  

     Sydney, Australia 

    Francine is willing ​​​to speak to interested communities throughout Australia, New Zealand, Pacific Islands. Travel costs are the responsibility of the host. 

    Contact

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    Email: holyshroud@marriagerc.org

    A Reflection on the
    ​​​​​​​Holy Shroud

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    The Shroud is sleeping epistemic dynamite,
         history’s ultimate theodramatic threshold,
         bearing before our gaze the triumphant vision
              of the long-awaited hero who - here and now
                 - is making “all things new.”

    Before this pierced and radiant face we receive
         a vision of all of our own sorrows,
         all of our own griefs,
              all of our own anguish,
                   all of the deceptions and tragedies
         that have marked the trail
              of humanity’s relentless quest for paradise.

    Anguish.
         Betrayal.
              Lies.
                   Mockery.
                        Torture.
                             Abandonment.
                                  Death.

    And yet though silent, the figure speaks,
         gleaming in a single instant as if no longer chained,
         no longer confined to the darkness
    ​​​​​​​          of this chaotic and divided cosmos,
                   now raised and ready to charge our existence
         with a new and greater destiny.

    Through the highs of our many triumphs
         and accomplishments,
         in the radiance of our joys and the fire of our hopes,
    in the redemption waiting
         beneath the sorrow of our mistakes and failures,
         his hero revealed in royal linen
              stands at a supernatural horizon,
                   drawing those who contemplate
         his reciprocal gaze into a deeper unity,
              a richer imagination, and a greater love.

    The light which burst throughout
         a condemned and crucified king’s darkened tomb
              has poured into history and ignited a hope
         for that same king’s coming kingdom,
              present now in mystery,
    and to be unveiled on the last day in consummate glory.
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